Facial Tightening Effects, Following Focused and Radial Acoustic Wave Therapy Assessment, Using a Three-Dimensional Digital Imaging

Background and objectives: Acoustic wave therapy is a novel facial tightening technique that involves nonthermal penetration of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, affecting cells and their metabolism, and resulting in an increased release of unwanted fat and activation of blood and lymphatic flow in tissues. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acoustic wave therapy.

Study design/materials and methods: A total of 333 patients underwent multiple facial tightening treatment sessions using focused and radial acoustic waves. Each patient received 2,000-3,000 pulses of focused acoustic waves at a power of 0.45-0.88 mJ/mm² with a pulse frequency of 3-5 Hz and 4,000 pulses of radial acoustic waves at 4-bar power at a frequency of 21 Hz. These sessions were performed more than three times, and treatments were repeated at 1-month intervals. Digital photographs superimposed three-dimensional volumetric assessments, and three-dimensional skin surface displacement calculations using vectors were used to evaluate the results 12 months after the last treatment. Patients also evaluated the results using a 5-point Likert scale.

Results: Improvements in skin texture, clarity, and laxity were observed in digital photographs. Superimposed three-dimensional color images showed marked volumetric reduction and/or formative modification for even contour toward the lower mid-face. Most vectors showed three-dimensional skin surface displacement at the lateral sides of the temples, cheeks, and chin, in an upward direction. These results were obtained and sustained for up to 12 months without edematous reactions. Almost all patients reported improvement, with 79% reporting "good" or "excellent" improvement. Complications were minor and transitory. Persistent side effects were not observed.

Conclusion: Acoustic wave therapy could be used as a standard facial tightening treatment, with skin rejuvenation effects shown on digital photographs and three-dimensional quantification assessments. This noninvasive acoustic wave approach was found to be a safe, long-lasting, and effective method for facial tightening. Lasers Surg. Med. 00:00-00, 2020. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.